Best Digital Camera Under $450 For Sports and Nature

Q: I want to photograph sports and nature (especially
landscapes and animals), and I want to spend under $450. Any compacts
fit the bill?

Here are the criteria they set for that sort of picture taking:

A: A lot of great compact digital cameras cost $450 or
less these days. But for sports and nature photography, you'll want a
model that has a long zoom lens with at least an f/2.8 aperture at the
wide end -- a must for existing-light photography and extended flash
range.